Next-Generation Smart Scaffolds for Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Therapeutics
Abstract
Focus Area: The proposed research will address the following focused areas: (1) pain management strategies following acute and/or chronic neuromusculoskeletal injury that are fast-acting, long-lasting, and free of adverse side effects and (2) regenerative rehabilitation solutions addressing peripheral nerves. Therefore, we propose to fabricate biocompatible, piezoelectric scaffolds and examine their ability to generate electrical response to tissue and cellular level mechanical deformations to produce a regenerative environment for wound healing. The scaffolds are integrated with tissue-specific extracellular matrix and can produce electrical stimulation without the need for an external power supply. Our studies will first focus on developing self-powered and bioactive piezoelectric nanofiber “smart” scaffolds (Aim 1), followed by assessing the cellular and host immune response to scaffolds (Aim 2), and finally determining the potential rehabilitative impact from electrical stimulation of scaffolds in response to deformation by cells and tissue (Aim 3). Type of Patient: Peripheral nervous system injuries are a significant concern to injured Warfighters as traumatic injury occurs through multiple war time issues as gunshots and explosions. Therefore, the proposed smart scaffolds will be an alternative therapeutic to the commonly performed nerve grafts. This therapy will also apply to the public at large, as traumatic nerve injuries impact 1.4 million Americans each year, with around 20 million people currently living with the impact of a traumatic injury. Clinical Applications, Benefits, and Risks: The clinical benefits to the proposed smart scaffolds are numerous, with the significantly important case of possessing “on demand” tailored nerve grafts near the battlefield. Our smart scaffolds will also be able to replace the commonly used autologous grafts, where harvesting nerve from a second site causes donor site morbidity and multiple surgeries in patients with variable success rates. The smart scaffolds will be a direct replacement to nerve grafts in the clinic, and we propose to assess the regenerative capacity and host immune reactions in order to determine any associated risks. Patient Outcomes: As the success rate of nerve grafts for injured Warfighters is currently only approximately 65.1%, we hope to improve upon that success rate with our engineered smart scaffolds. If this smart scaffold proves successful in animal models, we will test the optimized scaffolds in larger animal models to determine efficacy long term. Broadly, this research has the potential to have an enormous impact on injured Warfighters, including treatment and recovery following injury. The smart scaffold therapy will potentially allow for enhanced recoveries, reduced infection at wound sites, restoration of form and function, a more rapid return to recovery, and an enhanced sense of well-being and confidence. Projected timelines for recovery will depend on injury severity, but the smart scaffolds are hypothesized to improve regeneration and lead to faster recoveries compared to current strategies in each case.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Dec 05, 2021
- Source ID
- W81XWH2110174
Entities
People
- Gregory Harris
Organizations
- United States Army
- University of Cincinnati